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2/24/2016 The most beautiful karaoke bar EVER  In the lounge/bar the bartender makes signature fruity drinks, specialty cocktails and this fun flaming drink. Think you know karaoke bars? Usually its cold, sticky, smells of spilt beer and the sound of wailing wanna-be singers usually permeates the air... You may want to rethink everything you thought about karaoke bars when you see the impeccable. brand new and luxurious Hawaii Voice KTV & Lounge. Located at 808 Center which is conveniently located on 808 Sheridan Street in Keeaumoku, this new lounge, bar and private karaoke rooms establishment is just what the doctor ordered when it comes to upping the ante for places to relax, sing a few tunes, grab a drink or two and eat some delicious food.  Celebrating its Grand Opening on 3/18/2016 this karaoke bar and lounge offers Happy Hour 5-9pm (half off pupus and $2 off drinks).  Open from 5pm-2am Mon-Thurs and 2pm-2am Sat and Sun, the luxurious 10 total private rooms come in three sizes family room, party room and deluxe room. They offer hourly rates which if you start singing from the moment you walk in to the time you leave could equal about $2 a song. As you can see these rooms are bright, shiny, full of sparkly new objects and come with different themes. They literally have something for everyone. Deluxe rooms have a dance floor and mood lighting. I tested the mic and it sounded great, but I am not too certain of the song choices as I haven't had a chance to return.  Depending on the time and day you arrive you can also order the package rate which could start at $139, but if you order $139 in drinks and food you essentially get the room for free. The package rate serves as a room credit toward your food & beverage tab.  During a media tour we were all very impressed with the decor, large screens, gold microphones, quality sound system and all the simple elegance added to the venue.  As the title of this post says you will see this is no doubt the most beautiful karaoke venue I have ever seen. I am very excited for this new joint where we can sing, relax and enjoy.
Cheers! Hawaii Voice KTV reservations (808) 589-1699 or find them on Instagram or Facebook. 2/22/2016 Smooth like a baby's bottom You may have caught my previous post about the new Phil's Barbershop in J Salon http://mypointofheu.weebly.com/blog/a-cut-above-the-rest-at-phils-barber-shop, well this is the continuation of that post moving from the top of the head to the face. Seeing as how I am a female and don't really qualify for a straight razor face shave, my hubby was once again the guinea pig. He let his facial hair grow out for about a month and I was eagerly awaiting this shave because I love a clean-shaven look and how it feels.  Before: Hunter Wilson, the straight razor expert explains the process of the gentleman's shave.  Hunter Wilson is a Mililani resident who studied at the Hawaii Institute of Hair design and has been a professional barber going on 4 years now. He admits that he practiced on his girlfriend's legs while he was in school, now he is one of the most popular in the area, booked weeks in advance. "What's cooler than giving a shave with a straight razor?" Wilson said. This 12-step process is like a pampering follicle facial for men, complete with specialty products that include cleansing, exfoliating, essential oils to soften the beard, toner and moisturizer too. My hubby literally fell asleep in the chair!  Phil's Barbershop uses new disposable razors prior to every shave. They also use and sell award-winning Baxter of California shaving products which are the premier line of men's grooming and care products.  Here you see various tools of the trade used in this stunning, retro, funky, authentic yet hip barbershop. The shop named for the owner's grandfather also showcases vintage photos and the original razor used by Phil himself. Phil's offers a Gentleman's shave $50 and a Classic Shave $40. Here's a look at what's involved during The Gentleman's Shave: 1. Depending on the length of your hair/beard you may need a trim, as Daniel did. 2. A hot towel infused with menthol, rosemary, eucalyptus, camphor and spearmint to prepare your skin and soften the hair is applied. 3. Then a cleanse and exfoliation combo with Baxter of California’s Daily Face Wash and Facial Scrub. 4. A second hot towel. 5. A protective layer of Super Close Shave Formula is applied 6. Another hot towel. 7. Shaving cream is applied to the face in a rich, hot lather. 8. Traditional straight razor is used to shave with the grain first. 9. Then re-lather and shave once more against or across the grain for closeness, Daniel's skin is a bit sensitive so we opted for across the grain. 10. A final lavender essential oil cold towel is applied. 11. Followed by the Herbal Mint Toner and Oil Free Moisturizer, replenishing the skin’s moisture after the shave. 12. Finally an After-Shave Balm is used to nourish and soothe freshly shaven skin.  After all the warm towels Daniel said the cold towel at the end was refreshing and he enjoyed the process very much. He hadn't seen the skin on his face like this since he was a kid and prior to puberty. It was so soft and so smooth, literally like a new born baby's bottom. What an awesome experience! It really is like a facial for men with all process of softening the hair, smoothing the skin, toning, moisturizing and etc.
"Everytime I finish, I feel like I have achieved the utmost level of manliness," Wilson said. So who would get this done and when? Well some men who like to be well-groomed and pampered could get this done once a week. For those who are a little less interested in maintenance perhaps every two weeks or to prep for a special occasion. I would've loved to have my man get this done the morning of Valentine's Day so the rest of the day he is clean-shaven and kissable all over! Thank you Joe and Hunter for the awesome experience. Visit Phil's Barbershop located in J Salon and tell um Olena sent ya! http://www.philsbarber.com/#!contact/c1tcz Phil's Barber ShopLocated inside J Salon210 Ward Avenue #101 Honolulu, Hawaii 96814 info@philsbarbershop.com Tel: 808-550-4441 2/17/2016 My first time at Mama's Fish House While on Maui for a special event Dania Katz invited Chef Lee Anne Wong and I to lunch and Mama's Fish House came highly recommended. I wanted to see what all the 5-star fuss was about.  Papa's Three Fish Sashimi - Ono with lemongrass, green chili, papaya and Molokai salt; Ahi with ponzu and kukui salt; Kampachi with Maui onion tamarind, fig jam and Hawaii Island black salt $30 This is delightful, and danced on my tastebuds. The salts and accompanying sauces were outstanding, especially the Maui onion jam. I enjoyed playing with the salts. Long dubbed one of the best, most romantic, top and most sought after restaurants on Maui, or in Hawaii for that matter, I finally made my way to Mama's Fish House in Paia, Maui. I've driven by many times and always thought to myself "that's the world famous Mama's Fish House" but I was also concerned that it may be a tourist trap where visitors are coerced into going because they receive drinks with umbrellas and beachfront dining. Well you might wonder what's so good about it and why all the positive buzz? I was a bit skeptical, but after a lovely afternoon lunch, I am now a believer. One thing I must point out is the price point is very high, but the portions are generous. The fish is freshly caught and literally brought from boat to the kitchen and then to the table in less than 24 hours. Recipes are a great combination of Hawaiian, pacific, Asian and classic flavors. The service is amazing. Waiters are easy-going yet very attentive and knowledgable, runners, hosts and bussers are also personable and quick. The median age of the other guests was about 60, but the semi-tacky tiki interior design and accents of fresh flowers paired with multi-colored Hawaiian prints make the venue a fun, lively, tropical experience. The main highlight is definitely the food, it's bursting with flavor, freshness and innovation!  Mama's Ahi Sashimi salad, this reminded me of the Ahi Entree at Alan Wong's back in the day because it came with an "asian slaw". This dish was light served with romaine, pohole fern, wasabi goat cheese and roasted sesame dressing $28. Refreshing, perfectly seasoned, the fish is highlighted well and is extremely fresh.  Uku cheek with spicy lemongrass sauce $18. Love this dish. It reminds me of eating at Helena's or Hamachi Kama you find at delightful sushi bars. Crunchy, perfectly seasoned and full of flavor. The fish is flaky and moist.  I always wondered why they don't make spring rolls with fish... This was a Mahimahi roll with Kula sweet corn and Maui onion chutney. The flavor combinations are simply divine with the crunch from the roll, sweetness from the corn and creamy sauce. By the way you can also eat the corn shoots. $17  This was phenomenal. The fresh ahi seared with sesame seeds, served over cabbage with papaya and coconut rice. Holy moly this was amazing. I will dream about this fish. Super good! $48 The sauce is a sweet and savory, the crust is crunchy and the meat perfectly seared. (note this was a tasting size and not a full order pictured).  Who goes to a seafood restaurant and orders a Hawaiian plate? We do! This is called the traditional Hawaiian and included grilled fresh Mahimahi, Big Island wild boar lau lau, squid luau, ahi poke and sweet potato. Everything is extremely moist, delicious and cooked to order. $52  Huge portion enough for two to share: Uke, Mahi or Ahi (your choice) in Panang curry, coconut milk, fresh veggies and mango chutney $49. This entree is a nice gentle panang that isn't overwhelming. The bowl is extra large and full of sautéed vegetables and large filets of freshly caught fish. Good choice if you like something exotic. As you can imagine, our stomachs were too full for dessert. Everything was sensational and I would definitely return. Be sure to make reservations at least 24 hours in advance as they fill up quick. The view of the ocean and the soft breeze will also entice you to come back again and again. Valet parking only and allow for extra travel time due to a bit of backup while you drive through Paia.
http://www.mamasfishhouse.com  Once you enter you are greeted with aloha both from staff and the word on the wall in the open bar.  The restaurant is open, and also showcases an open kitchen and bar, with tropical interior designs. Have you seen images of gigantic fruit parfaits, colorful bread baskets and beautifully composed dishes? So have I. Cafe Lani recently opened its doors at Ala Moana Center after months of visual teases, jaw dropping photos and hefty buzz on social media. The Japanese restaurant chain owner Pierthirty touts Cafe Lani as an all-day breakfast eatery with lunch, dinner, fresh baked bread and glorious desserts. Since recently opening at Hawaii's largest and busiest mall in the state, the wait has been chatted about and long lines have also been reported. I happened to pop in with a girlfriend one morning, when there was ample seating, no wait and the service was actually quite good. Seeking something light, fresh and delicious I opted for fruit dishes instead of the egg soufflé or eggs benedict which was enticing. The couple next to me had simple breakfast items like eggs and omelette, which looked good, well portioned and each ate everything on their plates. Here's a look at what we had.  I attempted to order the muesli but despite being printed on the menu they don't offer this dish. I instead opted for the fresh granola with tropical fruits and mascarpone cheese, or was it yogurt?  The server mistakenly brought me the acai bowl, so I took a photo of it. It's pretty huge for only $12  The fresh fruit and chia seed yogurt comes in a jar, along with many other items. It seems to be a thing there putting eggs, salads, fruits in a mason jar. It appears small in size but actually is a good portion. The mix of fruits with the chia yogurt was yummy, creamy meets citrus and crunch.  We got a side of bacon, which was two strips cut in half, cooked perfectly and added some salt to our palate. Overall, I would return to Cafe Lani and I am actually looking forward to trying other things. The all-you-can-eat bread bar and pasta dishes look amazing. I also want to save room for dessert because those also look delicious.
Cafe Lani - Ala Moana Center Level 2 Ewa Wing http://www.alamoanacenter.com/Stores/Cafe-Lani-Hawaii  Phil's Barber Shop is located within J Salon open Tues-Sat  I've heard, and seen, J Salon before but I never had the chance to visit. Located at Ward Plaza the chic, minimalistic interior now houses a unique barber shop pop-up for the modern man seeking a traditional, clean, quick cut. Enter through the glass doors and you will turn the corner to the right and find a cozy room with 2 barber chairs. This room with its Elvis tunes took us back in time and to a major metropolitan city somewhere on the East Coast. The iconic barber shop red, blue and white striped pole spins on the wall and welcomes you to a room filled with historic family images, antique barber shop finds and special grooming waxes, tonics, creams and foams.  210 Ward Ave #101 - lots of free and ample parking  Phil Marsala was the grandfather to J Salon Owner/Stylist Joe Randazzo. His actual tools and images are perfectly placed in the barber shop as an homage to the man who began his barber training at the young age of 7. ,Phil's Barber Shop opened about a month ago and is considered a pop-up because they are looking for a larger, more permanent location at the moment. This nook, which used to be the office for J Salon, offers a wooden bench to sit and an outdoor seating area, but realistically only has two chairs which can be used for men's classic cuts and straight-razor shaves. My husband Daniel hasn't had a hair cut since he shaved his head about 5 months ago. So, I was eager to get him seated in the chair and have his first barber shop cut by the owner, Vidal Sassoon educator and former art director, Joe Randazzo. Joe named the barber shop after his grandfather Phil who established his own 'Phil's Barber Shop' in the front room of his Michigan home back in 1931. It's a bit fortuitous that Joe went on to become a noted hairstylist like his grandfather whom he never had the chance to meet before he passed. Phil's legacy lives on in Joe's cuts, colors and memorable smile.  My husband Daniel is a low maintenance type of guy who cleans up well. He doesn't like to shave and also doesn't like to put much effort into his hair since he wears a hard hat all day.  As you can see this "before" picture showcases how long and unkempt his hair was.  Daniel told Joe he could do whatever he wanted. The both of us watching this artist in action was really exciting as we didn't know what to expect. Live art installation in progress!  Barber cuts usually take 30-45 minutes and don't include shampoo, scalp massage and don't require you to change into a smock. Everything is done in the chair and is quite efficient. You could tell Joe is a perfectionist.  After about an hour Joe cleaned up Daniel's hair. Gave him a meticulous fade and left some of the length on the top. He left the style nice and versatile too, so Daniel could part it on one side or sweep it back or up. I love the look.  I literally felt like my husband was a new man! Daniel said he liked the cut too. It was different compared to what he is used to, but the style was clean, tapered beautifully, he looked like a real gentleman. I kinda wanted to go out and get dressed up together -- he looked so good!  A Graduate of 'The Old School Barber Academy' in Rotterdam, Holland, Joe believes the profession of barbering is amongst one of the oldest in the world and prides himself with being a true master of his craft. Overall, this was a unique, fun, interesting and very cool experience. We both took lots of photos of the pop-up shop as it was such a surprise to walk in and be swept away to another era. For guys seeking a true gentleman's cut without the awkward vibes of being in a feminine salon, amongst the ladies who lunch, this is a great escape to get groomed and leave feeling oh so handsome and masculine.
A Phil's Barber Shop haircut is only $40 Haircut with Joe is $60 *note his men cuts start at $140 in J Salon They also offer a gentleman's shave featuring a traditional straight razor. Details on that will be posted in my next blog... And so many men, co-workers and friends are really excited about that one. More information can be found at http://www.philsbarber.com or call 550-4441, email info@philsbarbershop.com |
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